The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CONDITION REPORT WAS PREPARED BY HAMISH DEWAR, AN
INDEPENDENT PAINTINGS CONSERVATOR UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Structural condition
The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to what is evidently the original keyed wooden
stretcher. There is a canvas maker's stamp and a wax seal on the reverse. There is a pattern of
fine lines of drying craquelure, together with slight stretcher-bar lines, which are almost
inevitable on an unlined canvas of this period. The craquelure and stretcher-bar lines are
entirely stable. There is a slight indentation in the canvas in the upper left corner.
Paint surface
The paint surface has a discoloured varnish layer and should respond very well to cleaning and
revarnishing. There are a few lines of visible craquelure within the paint surface, most notably
within the darker greens of the foliage. These are again stable and could be minimally
retouched if found to be visually distracting.
Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms how discoloured the varnish layers have become
and highlights various deposits and I could find no evidence of any retouching. There may be
retouchings beneath the discoloured varnish layers that I could not identify under ultraviolet
light.
Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in very good and stable condition and the overall
appearance should be considerably improved by cleaning and revarnishing.
Print Report